Which part of the brain is responsible for basic life functions such as heartbeat?

The medulla is a crucial part of the brain responsible for regulating essential life functions such as heartbeat and breathing. It is located in the brainstem, just above the spinal cord, and acts as a pathway for signals between the brain and the body. The medulla autonomously controls vital processes like the heart rate by sending signals to the heart and regulating blood pressure through its influence on blood vessels. This means that even if all higher brain functions are disrupted, the medulla remains capable of performing these fundamental life-sustaining activities.

Other regions of the brain, such as the cerebellum, thalamus, and cerebrum, play important roles in motor control, sensory processing, and higher cognitive functions, respectively. However, they do not directly control the autonomic functions that the medulla manages.